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"We're real happy with the young kid Damien Brunner, who Mike Babcock and I saw at the World Championships," Holland said. "He led the Swiss league in scoring. He's got speed; now we'll see how he adjusts from the big rink to a small rink and with more physical play. But we certainly like his speed."
Brunner, 26, was the Forward of the Year in Switzerland's National League A after leading the league in scoring with 24 goals and 36 assists in 45 games.
He has played for EV Zug the last four seasons, recording 190 points in 167 games (78 goals, 112 assists).
He has also played for Team Switzerland in two of the past three IIHF World Championships, recording four goals and eight assists in 14 games.

Its impressive to do what he is doing in the Swiss league with all of the NHL players but remember this, he was probably a top 3 forward in the league last year. The influx of NHL players on teams have pushed down the best Swiss league players for NHL players who need to learn to play less physical and on a different rink. Its just like transitioning from Euro to NHL. His numbers being higher is explained by being with better players, but those NHL players low numbers are because they are with worse players and transitioning. So lets not go crowning him anything yet till we have a season.

I expect 20-25 goals his first season with a ceiling of about 35. I also dont know where anyone said he had more grit than Huds because he dont and his speed might just be a step better. I would say more skilled offensively though.

So far my favorite part of the lockout is watching John Tavares for one of my favorite Euro teams in person....man he is good if just wasnt on the Islanders

Its impressive to do what he is doing in the Swiss league with all of the NHL players but remember this, he was probably a top 3 forward in the league last year. The influx of NHL players on teams have pushed down the best Swiss league players for NHL players who need to learn to play less physical and on a different rink. Its just like transitioning from Euro to NHL. His numbers being higher is explained by being with better players, but those NHL players low numbers are because they are with worse players and transitioning. So lets not go crowning him anything yet till we have a season.

I expect 20-25 goals his first season with a ceiling of about 35. I also dont know where anyone said he had more grit than Huds because he dont and his speed might just be a step better. I would say more skilled offensively though.

So far my favorite part of the lockout is watching John Tavares for one of my favorite Euro teams in person....man he is good if just wasnt on the Islanders

I wasn't crowning him with anything to be sure. Just pointing out that he has been impressive now for a couple of years, and now that there is an influx of real NHL talent, he hasn't lost a step.

Haha I knew you werent I didnt mean it like that just that we have to see how he transitions. I mean im hoping he fits in on the second line with look of maybe Flipper-Z-Brunner could be pretty fast and scary with all having good passing skills and nice shots

Haha I knew you werent I didnt mean it like that just that we have to see how he transitions. I mean im hoping he fits in on the second line with look of maybe Flipper-Z-Brunner could be pretty fast and scary with all having good passing skills and nice shots

Hopefully Fil is ready to go, but I'm not sure. I heard he's on skates again. I didn't realize Brunner was 26. He's not such a kid anymore. I like that fact. As excited as I am in seeing Jurco in a wing wheel, his age scares me, so I think Brunner, being older, should fit in fine on the Wings, if he's on Z's line. I hope he's the future of the team, with Gus and Tatar (whose tearing it up with GR).

Well as I last read which was couple days ago Fil wont be ready til closer to the end of the month. I could see Nyquist filling the role of Fil until he returns to full. Gus-Z-Brunner is a good line with two natural centres. Im just worried more about our top line and who plays with Pasha.

Well as I last read which was couple days ago Fil wont be ready til closer to the end of the month. I could see Nyquist filling the role of Fil until he returns to full. Gus-Z-Brunner is a good line with two natural centres. Im just worried more about our top line and who plays with Pasha.

LOL, Bert and Mule, and Pavs will have to do all the work again. So, you expect Brunner to have an automatic spot with Z?